Why Make Robots Run a Marathon?

A Chinese humanoid robot completed a half marathon — even surpassing the men's world record pace.
Why would a robot run a marathon? Is this just a tech show-off — or even propaganda?
A marathon pushes robots to their limits — endurance, balance, battery life, and heat management. These are exactly the capabilities needed outside the lab. So this isn't just a race. It's a real-world testing ground for complex and high-risk scenarios.
Just like Formula 1 accelerates innovation for consumer cars, these extreme scenarios push robotics toward real-world deployment. And now, from the marathon to everyday life, robots are getting closer than ever.